Fort Bend Brewing Brings One More Craft Brewery to Town

• This one of the rare times where I don't see how anyone can find something potentially offensive about Katharine's article. I mean there is literally nothing in this article to get someone riled up, yet people still found something to complain about here. Either way, welcome aboard Fort Bend Brewing. If you've been to places like Denver or the Pac-NW, you know that Houston is about as far away from over-saturation as it can possibly be given the city's size.

• I assure you that we aren't over-saturated in Houston. I'm not just saying that.

• Im amazed at how an article announcing the exciting opening of a new microbrewery results in someone commencing a roast of my career moves. As Ty states below, I am acting as a consultant for the start up of Fort Bend. Regarding The Covey, I closed for many reasons, not the least of which was an expensive and expiring lease. The DC gig was independent of the closing, and the opportunity never came to fruition. Life goes on. I never left Texas, and if I ever have to, my heart will always be here. I loved my customers at The Covey, and the manner in which I closed was gut wrenching and difficult. If I were to have continued operation with customer and employee knowledge of a coming closing, it would have been disastrous in many ways. The place was ransacked the night of closing. Paintings were literally ripped off the walls... I am the seventh generation of a line of Texans who are passionate about life, proud of their work and most of all, true to their roots. I have a wife and two boys to support, which are the basis of all of my career decisions. I am not some gypsy that underhandedly looks for "the next big opportunity to skip town." CHEERS!! --to the guys at Fort Bend Brewing Co. for pursuing their dreams!!!

• Oh man. I am so torn here. On the one hand, I am very excited about the growth of craft brewing in Houston. On the other hand, I am concerned we are reaching the point of over-saturation. I mean, I am just one woman, I can only drink so many beers in a week. I CAN NOT DRINK THEM ALL!

• And El Real? Where's that mention, Shilcutt?

• Where is it located?  Webpage is not finished yet.  Is this the brewery that was looking at Stafford/Missouri City? 

• And regarding the closing of the Covey, I won't speak for Jamie other than to say once you hear his story, you would appreciate and understand his love and passion for making great brews.

• In that case, let me extend a warm welcome to Houston. And to EOW. This is Thunderdome; hope you brought your helmet.  :)

• Duly noted. Thanks!

• Im not sure why I'm being told to calm down. I clearly stated the article was good. I was merely asking a fairly standard question. I moved here from Austin 2-3 moths ago - sorry I have not read your previous articles, sorry for inquiring about the other breweries in town. Yikes. Fort Bend Brewing Brings One More Craft Brewery To Town By Katharine Shilcutt Thursday, Dec 15, 2011 at 12:00 PM ​First Houston, then Conroe, then Katy. Now Sugar Land is getting a craft brewery of its own -- Fort Bend Brewing -- and the momentum created by the rash of brewery openings in 2011 seems determined to continue into 2012. Fort Bend Brewing plans to open early next year, starting small with a 30-barrel brewhouse under the watchful eye of brewers Jeff King (formally of Kreuz Creek) and Jamie Fulton, a well-known brewmaster and winner of several World Beer Cup and Great American Beer Festival awards. Late last year, Fulton unexpectedly closed his popular Fort Worth brewpub, Covey. It came mere weeks after Fulton took home six awards at the 2010 Los Angeles International Commercial Beer Competition: two gold, two silver and two bronze medals. His planned move to Washington, D.C. to open a brewpub called Farmers & Brewers apparently didn't pan out, but Texas is ready to welcome Fulton back with open arms. Fulton and King are joined in the venture by Ty Coburn, Ray Self, and Barry Beard. Coburn, who will serve as general manager of the brewery, is optimistic that his team will bring something a little different to Houston's fast-growing craft beer scene. "In our state and local area, there are some great breweries producing some fantastic crafts, and believe that our commitment to offering a wide variety of high-quality brews, we'll add to, and enhance what is out there today," said Coburn. "While I can't claim to be an excellent long-time brewer like Jeff or Ray, I can claim success in business, but more importantly, a life-long brew drinker. We get to combine the things we love doing." Coburn expects the first kegs and bottles to be produced in late May of 2012, with no specific plans for distribution at this time other than "wherever great beers are sold." The new beers will join offerings from fellow craft breweries like Buffalo Bayou and City Acre, both of which are also hoping to push production into high gear in 2012. Fort Bend Brewery also hopes to open to the public in May, offering tours and tastings. You can follow the brewery's progress on its Facebook page or Twitter account. Follow Eating Our Words on Facebook and on Twitter @EatingOurWords LikeNo Post as … barleyvine 33 minutes ago So as I mentioed on twitter, I think Jamie makes some amazing beers.  I got the opportunity to check out Covey a couple of times and was happy with what he was doing in Ft. Worth.  However, the way he left town wasn't done very well.  It was very very short notice (read: hours) to all his folks and then it was shut for good with a little note sent out, so he could head to DC for a chance of a lifetime.  So what happened in DC?  Why is he back now?  I'm excited as anyone that more breweries are opening up in the Houston area, but I have to question if Mr. Fulton really plans on sticking around, or will he be looking for the next big opportunity to get out of town? hide 5 replies reply Htownandddown 22 minutes ago What about 8th Wonder Brewery? hide 4 replies reply Htownanddown 21 minutes ago And Karbach? hide 3 replies reply barleyvine 18 minutes ago WHat about them?  They weren't mentioned in the article...very confused...... hide 2 replies reply Htownanddown 5 minutes ago Why not mention all the new breweries and breweries in planning, instead of just a few? As an avid craft beer drinker, it would be nice to know what is happening with respect to the entire scene. I thought it was a good article, but if the author is going to write an article about the Houston brewing industry, is it that unheard of to want to know what all the other breweries are up to? hide 1 reply reply Katharine Shilcutt 1 minute ago This isn't an article about the Houston brewing industry as a whole. It's very clearly an article about one new brewery coming to town. Southern Star, No Label, Buffalo Bayou and City Acre were all mentioned / linked in the post, but - again - this isn't meant as a post to wrap up all of the many great craft breweries we have or are about to have in Houston. If you'll look back through our Brew Blog archives, you'll see that we (myself included) have written similar "welcome to town" posts about both Karbach and 8th Wonder. So pleas

• This is Ty Coburn, general manager of Fort Bend Brewing Co, and I need to correct an in-accuracy in the article.  It gives the impression that Jamie is coming down to join as the brewmaster, which in fact he has only been contracted  to assist in the brewery planning and start-up, including the development of the first five releases.  He's done a fantastic job for us so far, but he has, and continues to work with other breweries in the state.  Aside from that, we are very excited about what we will bring to the market, and look forward to joining the rest of the local breweries!!

• This isn't an article about the Houston brewing industry as a whole. It's very clearly an article about one new brewery coming to town. Southern Star, No Label, Buffalo Bayou and City Acre were all mentioned / linked in the post, but - again - this isn't meant as a post to wrap up all of the many great craft breweries we have or are about to have in Houston. If you'll look back through our Brew Blog archives, you'll see that we (myself included) have written similar "welcome to town" posts about both Karbach and 8th Wonder. So please, calm down.

• Why not mention all the new breweries and breweries in planning, instead of just a few? As an avid craft beer drinker, it would be nice to know what is happening with respect to the entire scene. I thought it was a good article, but if the author is going to write an article about the Houston brewing industry, is it that unheard of to want to know what all the other breweries are up to?

• WHat about them?  They weren't mentioned in the article...very confused......

• And Karbach?

• What about 8th Wonder Brewery?

• So as I mentioed on twitter, I think Jamie makes some amazing beers.  I got the opportunity to check out Covey a couple of times and was happy with what he was doing in Ft. Worth.  However, the way he left town wasn't done very well.  It was very very short notice (read: hours) to all his folks and then it was shut for good with a little note sent out, so he could head to DC for a chance of a lifetime.  So what happened in DC?  Why is he back now?  I'm excited as anyone that more breweries are opening up in the Houston area, but I have to question if Mr. Fulton really plans on sticking around, or will he be looking for the next big opportunity to get out of town?

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